Robo Rally

For anyone who enjoys programming, deduction, and/or cooperative games, keep reading. Designed by the excellent Nikki Valens (designer of Mansions of Madness 2E and Legacy of Dragonholt), Quirky Circuits is coming from Plaid Hat Games this summer and features some of the most adorable miniatures ever created. 2-to-4 players cooperate in one of twenty-one scenarios to complete their goals before their batteries run out. Using the same scenario book system that other Plaid Hat releases such as Stuffed Fables and Comanauts have used ensures quick and easy setup to support the fast and engaging gameplay.

“Players place programming cards face down, only knowing what types of cards their friends have played – movement, turn or quirk. Quirk cards must be played before a player uses any other card in their hand and every player must play at least one card per round. Using deductive reasoning, all players will move the robo-buddy around the board, trying to complete its mission!”

“Quirky” really is an appropriate adjective in the title, because that’s precisely what I wanted to write several times during this article to describe it. Everything about the look of the design is cute, fun, compact, and to-the-point, and that’s a great advantage for this game. Not to be understated, Quirky Circuits fits an excellent niche in the market right now, being a much more accessible point of entry to teach programmed movement and deduction, in stark contrast to the long-lived Robo Rally. Moreover, this is only the second cooperative version of such a mechanic after the heavyweight Mechs vs. Minions, where the speed of setup due to Plaid Hats innovation will really shine in comparison. If you’re interested in learning more about Quirky Circuits, check out Plaid Hat’s news and product pages for updates, pictures, full rules, and availability.

The race is on for the robots of the Robo Rally automobile factory who work long, hard days at the assembly line building high-speed supercars, but never get to see them in action. On Saturday nights, the factory comes to life as the ultimate race course with treacherous obstacles and rival sabotage. In the thrilling Robo Rally Game, players move their robots through the course by speeding through corridors and dodging traps to reach each checkpoint first. Only the strongest robots survive!

Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast has announced that they will be re-releasing the classic Richard Garfield hit board game from the 1990’s, Robo Rally. This iconic “programmed movement” game will become available at retail as early as August 1, 2016.

Additionally, Robo Rally will have a presence at the Hasbro booth at SXSW, and Wizards of the Coast will be offering attendees a live demo of the game. The game will be available in the SXSW Gaming Hall on Thursday, 3/17 through Saturday, 3/19 from 12pm – 8pm.

Here is the press release of the game description:

Enter the world of mad machines and dangerous schemes in the Robo Rally board game. Players control their robot with game cards which reveal directions on how the robots can move through the hectic Robo Rally automobile factory. Use strategy to outsmart rival robots while racing towards each checkpoint in your chosen course in numerical order. Beware of factory obstacles such as industrial lasers, gaping pits, and moving conveyer belts that can make or break the race. The first player to reach all of the checkpoints wins and becomes an ultimate race legend. The Robo Rally Game includes 6 double-sided game boards, double-sided start board, 6 robot figures, 6 reboot tokens, 36 checkpoint tokens, plastic priority antenna, 6 checkpoints, 48 plastic energy cubes, 30-second sand timer, 6 robot player mats, 40 upgrade cards, six 20-card programming decks, 6 special programming cards, 74 damage cards, vac tray, label sheet, and game guide. Available at local game stores and most major retailers nationwide.